So, I've been flying for about a month and a half now - after an 8 year break. Anyhow, I've never really learned to fly with decent wind, and today I set out to fly. Halfway to the club field, I saw a flag at an auto lot, and it was pretty straight - indicating pretty windy conditions. About 15-20mph winds, but I was determined.

Get to the field - unlock the gates - just me at the field this evening - cool - nobody to see me crash (should it happen).

Unload the Alpha 60, sporting a Super Tigre .91 4stroke, and a 14x8 prop. This past weekend, I could even idle it in for a landing, so I'm thinking the wind will help keep her slow. Boy was I wrong- she still takes a bite in the wind, and pulls the Alpha along plenty - even at a high idle. (Futaba 8UAP radio what has a high-low-off throttle setting) I'm always afraid to put it in low idle, cause it tends to cut off.

Anyhow, first take off roll, wings just about fold end of end, so I opt to not turn in to the wind - and make it a cross-wind take off. About a ten foot roll and she's airbourne- typical. Turn to a downwind leg, and she's screaming past, and I start the turn to base. Windy!!! Start on final, and she's coming in, nicely, a little gusty, and I'm about 1 mistakes high. Decide to practice some slow flight, and she creeps over the runway, snails pace - at idle - come back around - and she just won't set down on the ground. Eventually, I flip the swith - low idle, and she's coming in, dead sticked. Sweet landing, just awesome.

Anyhow, started playing with the throttle a little, and still didn't get it set quite right, but about 6 - 15 minute flights, half a gallon of glow fuel, and she's in one piece, no hard landing, notta - awesome plane, and I gotta commend myself on just taking to the wind, and getting more confident in flying when the ol' guys at the club won't even attempt to fly in anything over 15mph winds.

And another thing - I typically won't start the engine with a chicken stick, and opt for an electic starter - today - after the first flight, I felt the need to try the chicken stick - and the plane started backward - and decided to roll off the plane stand - I didn't think 4 strokes would run backwards. Guess I'll stick with the electric starter.